Things are really popping at Nianjema!
35 children are learning in the brand new primary school, under the direction of two Tanzanian teachers. And the new high school buildings, underwritten by USAID, are already in use. Nearby, four new hostels (dormitories) are under construction.
The primary school allows children to continue on the Nianjema campus after “graduating” from our nursery school and the school will grow with the children, adding classes as the children progress. All are now 6 to 8 years old. The nursery school has 45 students, with two teachers.
The Nianjema primary school offers an English medium program so that children can become proficient in the second of Tanzania’s two official languages. Kiswahili is spoken at home, so immersion in English is valuable for the children’s future education and work opportunities.
The new high school buildings complete a second quadrangle on the Nianjema campus and house two large classroom buildings and a new science lab and library.
The buildings are green with unique features designed by school architect and trustee Daniel Manase, including low, louvered windows that create a constant, cooling breeze. They are also colorful—roofs of blue or red tile, exterior walls of deep gold, light blue, brick red and dark green. Nianjema is a beautiful campus.
All are built by local labor, under the supervision of Manase and school manager Charlie Sloan.
The four new hostels, or dormitories, will allow students to stay on campus, allowing students to focus on their studies, create a strong learning community and, for those from distant areas, to attend Nianjema. The school currently has two hostels.
All buildings are underwritten by competitive grants from USAID.